New Medical Test Anxiety / Alcoholism

Am just reading through the new descriptors for ESA medical.

I am currently on IB with a review March 2011.

I am signed off work with a combination of Anxiety and Alcoholism.

I can not see any descriptors to cover any of this.

The consequences of going back to work are enormous. I need to avoid anything that could result in a relapse of alcoholism. I am also responsible for two children. So the effects on them are enourmous too.

Am I covered by being in the work place could cause me harm - because to undertake employment certainly could cause harm to me and others.

Mod edit: moved to question forum

None of us here can say for certain whether you would get ESA, but you mention harm, and this clause would be relevant "Because of your physical or mental health condition or learning disability, there would be a substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person, including you, if you were found not to have limited capability for work."

Notice that there has to be a "substantial risk" to the "mental or physical health", which I think is quite a high threshold.

You may find it helpful to discuss this with your GP or psychiatrist when you get your ESA50, to see whether they would provide you with a letter to send in with your ESA50 covering this point.

Of course, we don't know when you will be migrated or whether the government will revise the descriptors again next year or whenever.

Hi Caz72

Firstly, carefully consider how anxiety and alcohol affect your daily functioning. For example, does it affect awareness of hazards or engaging in social activity. You may be able to score points for these if appropriate.

Nobody is automatically covered by the exceptional circumstances (substantial risk); that is a decision that a doctor or tribunal judge has to make. However you can certainly make a case that you satisfy it when you have to fill in an ESA50.

Don't forget that substantial risk does not just apply to the claimant, but to the health of 'any person'. If you are responsible for two children, you must also consider how their health could be affected if, for example, your anxiety or alcoholism was made worse as a result of being found fit for work and put under the pressure that it usually entails.

Hope this helps.

Derek

Hi

Thank You people. I guess it is just a waiting game. My date for renewal is March 2011 but this doesnt seem to be standing for much.

I think I will go down the road that having to go out to work, ups the odds of a relapse and a relapse most certainly could put my children under harm.

I have had two years sober now after 20 years of alcohol abuse and I don't want to be in a situation that gets thrown away just the government are on one.

Hi Caz,

Firstly, congradulations with tghe 2ys.

I think you would have a pretty good case with showing how you have managed to stay sober for 2 years. this should at least be evidence that what you are currently doing in relation to your condition appears to be working for you.

Good Luck

Kathy

I recently completed the ESA50 as part of the IB migration process and feel that although alcoholism and anxiety are not explicitly mentioned, they are factors that will relate to descriptors 17 - 21.

Furthermore, it may be useful to highlight how extra stressors could perhaps be relevant to the 'exceptional circumstances'.

When filling in the form (or rather typing up extended notes) I tried to give a flavour of how I am affected, and provided examples from life experience.

There is also a box on the ESA50, prior to the questions relating to the descriptors, which allows you to give any details re: alcohol or drug problems that should be taken into account.